Thus perversely advised by the exceedingly wicked Manthara, the noble
and sagacious lady, influenced by passion, having completely decided in
her mind as to her course, was lying down on the ground like a Kinnari
pierced with poisoned shafts, and gradually told everything unto
Manthara. And having made up her mind, that lady wrought up with ire,
being under the influence of Manthara's words, sighed hot and hard like
the daughter of a Naga; and for a while reflected on the way which was
to bring her happiness.Then her friend and well-wisher Manthara, hearing
of her resolution, rejoiced exceedingly, as if she had already secured
success. And, having fully ascertained her course, that weak one being
angry, lay down upon the floor, knitting her eyebrows. The ground was
strewn with garlands and excellent ornaments which Kaikeyi had cast
away; and they adorned the earth as the stars adorn the welkin. Like an
enfeebled Kinnari she clad in a soiled garment, binding fast her braid,
lay down in the anger-chamber.
The monarch having issued orders for the installation of Rama,entered
his inner apartment after giving permission to the courtiers to repair
to their respective abodes. "To-day it has been fixed to install Rama,
but Kaikeyi has not yet heard of it"--thus thought the monarch.
Therefore with the view of communicating the welcome news unto that lady
deserving of good, (Kaikeyi), that renowned one of subdued senses
entered the inner apartment. Like unto the moon entering the sky covered
with white clouds and with Rahu present in it, that one of high fame
entered the excellent apartment of Kaikeyi, having parrots and peacocks
and _Kraunchas_ and swans, resounding with the sounds of musical
instruments,--containing hump-backed and dwarfish women, graced with
houses containing creepers, and pictures, and adorned with _ashokas_ and
_champakas_, furnished with daises composed of ivory and silver and
gold, and adorned with trees bearing flowers and fruits always, and
tanks, having superb seats made of ivory, silver and gold; rich with
various viands and drinks and edibles, with costly ornaments, and
resembling heaven itself; and the prosperous monarch having entered his
own inner apartment did not see his dear Kaikeyi on the excellent bed.
The lord of men not seeing his favorite wife, asked (within himself) and
was struck with grief. Never before this that noble lady spent that hour
(at any other place); nor had the monarch ever entered the empty
apartment. Then the king entering the apartment asked (a sentinel)
concerning Kaikeyi, not knowing that that unwise woman was hankering
after her self-interest, as on previous occasions not finding her he
used to ask. Thereupon hurriedly and with clasped hands, the warder
said,-- "Worshipful sire, the noble lady exceedingly angry, hath
repaired unto the anger chamber." Hearing the warder's word, the king
exceedingly anxious, with his senses agitated and afflicted, again
grieved. There burning with grief, the lord of the earth saw her lying
down on the ground in an improper guise. And the sinless aged (monarch)
saw on the ground his youthful wife dearer unto him than life itself,
cherishing an unrighteous intention,--like a torn creeper, and lying
down like a very goddess, resembling a Kinnari fallen from heaven
because of sin, like a fallen Apsara, like unto an illusion spread to
take another, and like an ensnared doe, or a she-clcphant that has been
pierced with an envenomed shaft shot by a hunter. And himself resembling
a mighty elephant in the midst of a forest, the king, exceedingly
aggrieved, out of affection, gently passing his hand upon Kaikeyi's
person, thus addressed her furnished with eyes resembling lotus'
petals,--"I do not know why thou hast been angry with me. O noble lady,
who has reprimanded thee, or who has offended thee, that, O auspicious
one, in this guise thou art lying down in dust enhancing my sorrow? And
wherefore art thou down on the ground, I, who seek thy welfare, being
yet alive? O thou that afflictest my heart, art like one under the
influence of a malignant spirit, I have skilful physicians whom I have
completely satisfied with gifts,--they will render thee whole. Do thou,
O angry wench, mention thy malady. Whom dost thou wish to please; and
whom to displease? Who shall to-day receive an welcome office, and who a
highly unwelcome one? Do not conceal thy thoughts, nor, O noble one,
afflict thy person. Who, that should not be slain, shall be put to
death; and who that should, is to be set at liberty? Who that is poor is
to be made rich; and who that is affluent is to be turned into a pauper?
I and mine are at thy command. I dare not cross any wish of thine. Tell
me thy mind, and I will satisfy thee by laying down life itself. Thou
knowest the influence thou hast upon me,--therefore, it behoveth thee
not to entertain any apprehension. By all my good deeds I swear that I
will compass thy pleasure. The space that is lighted up by the solar
disc is mine--the Draviras, and the Sindhus, and the Sauviras, and
Shurashtras and the Dakshinapathas, and the Bangas, and the Angas, and
the Magadhas, and the Matsyas, and the flourishing Kasis and the
Kocalas. In these are produced many things, wealth and corn and animals.
Do thou, O Kaikeyi, ask for those things that thy mind may take a fancy
to. What,0 timid one, is the use of afflicting thyself thus? O beauteous
damsel, arise, arise. Do thou, O Kaikeyi, unfold unto me the cause
whence hath proceeded thy fear. On hearing the reason, I will dispell
it, even as the sun drieth up the dew."
Thus addressed and encouraged, she desirous of saying that disagreeable
thing with the view of afflicting her lord still more, spoke unto him
thus.